New Delhi, Jan. 28 -- Domestic equity markets opened on a firm note on Wednesday, with the automotive sector emerging as a primary focus following significant trade developments. At 9:17 am, the benchmark BSE Sensex stood at 82,308.96, gaining 451.48 points or 0.55 per cent, while the Nifty 50 reached 25,321.00, up 145.60 points or 0.58 per cent in early trade.

Within the auto segment, morning trades reflected a mixed performance among major manufacturers. At the time of filing, Maruti Suzuki saw its share price at 14,907.80, a decline of 2.19 per cent, while Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) remained nearly flat at 3,393.20, down 0.03 per cent. In contrast, Hyundai traded slightly higher at 2,176.00, gaining 0.12 per cent, and Tata Motors Passe...